Motor Vehicle Control Unit Functional Check via Virtual Error Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing control units in motor vehicles are complex and limited in simulating various error events, restricting the ability to comprehensively verify the operational state and safety of control units.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the generation and transmission of test signals that describe specific internal error states to a control unit via an external interface, allowing for the simulation and monitoring of error conditions, enabling comprehensive functional testing and verification of control unit behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If replacement elements are used to simulate error events in electrical assemblies, then error simulation capability is improved, but hardware complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of error states through software simulation rather than physical replacement elements. The simulation environment replicates error conditions programmatically, allowing multiple error scenarios to be tested without adding physical hardware for each error type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical replacement element system with a software-based simulation approach. Instead of physically switching between replacement elements and actual components, the system uses software to simulate error states and inject them into the control unit through communication interfaces.
2Measurement precision
If external devices simulate sensor behavior and apply communication signals to the control unit, then communication interface testing is improved, but only predictably dependent operating states can be emulated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the error state simulation dynamic and flexible through software control. Instead of static replacement elements or predictable emulations, the system can dynamically generate any desired error state programmatically, allowing adaptation to any error scenario without hardware changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from fixed signal emulation to flexible parameter-based error state generation. The software can modify any parameter of the control unit's operating state to create desired error conditions, rather than being limited to pre-defined signal patterns from external devices.
3Reliability
If comprehensive error simulation is performed using traditional methods, then error coverage is improved, but testing effort and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal testing platform that can handle multiple error types and scenarios through a single software-based system. The same infrastructure can simulate various error conditions (sensor failures, communication errors, internal state errors) without requiring separate testing setups for each error type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the control unit to test itself through software-generated error states. The system can autonomously generate test cases, inject error states, monitor responses, and evaluate results without requiring complex external testing infrastructure or manual intervention for each test scenario.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The method involves generating test signal, which describes an internal operating condition secures a part of the control device (1). The test signal over an external data interface is transmitted to the control device. An effect of the change is monitored on the flow chart of the control device. A state signal of a program for run-time of the program subjected to the test signal, conducted by an arithmetic and logic unit of the control device, is changed such that the internal operating condition described by the test signal adjusts itself.